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Artwork - Black Cat Motif, Black Cat Cafe, Fitzroy, pre 2001 Reg. No: HT 135

Summary:: Artwork featuring a stylised black cat motif that was displayed at the Black Cat Cafe in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, until it closed in February, 2001.
Description:: Artwork on paper sheet with black text and a stylised black cat motif.
Statement Of Significance:: In recent years the Museum has collected, whenever possible, objects relating to the rapid development, since the 1950's, of Melbourne as a `Cafe Society'. Just as the Legend Cafe was one of the pioneer cafes of the 1950's, the Black Cat's opening in May 1982 signalled the shift towards a new type of cafe that catered for a young, arty, alternative set. From the start, it maintained an almost symbiotic relationship with the nearby Roar Studios, a group of studios and associated art gallery that has produced painters such as David Larwill. The Black Cat Cafe has been a significant contributor to the social, cultural and demographic changes that have made Brunswick Street into what it is today. This point has been made in various newspaper articles written about the Black Cat Cafe since it was announced that it was to close in 2001.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Mr Henry Maas - The Black Cat Cafe, 2001

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	21.00 cm (Height), 0.01 cm (Width), 29.70 cm (Length)

Tagged with:	food drink consumption, caf s, menus, decorative arts, brunswick street culture, caf culture
Themes this item is part of:	Black Cat Cafe Collection, Domestic & Community Life Collection
Primary Classification:	CULTURAL IDENTITY
Secondary Classification:	Café & Pub Culture
Tertiary Classification:	commercial art & design
Inscriptions:	Printed text in black reads: "Black Cat / 252 Brunswick Street, / Fitzroy, / Melbourne, / 4196230."
Format:	Drawing: Black & White
Place & Date Used:	The Black Cat Café, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia, pre 2000